Spike puller



Nov. 24, 1931. c. J. AMERA SPIKE FULLER Filed April 26, 1930 Patented Nov. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARL JOHN AMERA, F DALTON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO JOHN M. MCDERMOTT, OF NEW BUTLER, WISCONSIN SPIKE PULLER Application filed April 26,

This invention relates to improvements in spike pullers and particularly to a pulling device which is especially constructed for withdrawing heavy nails or spikes that are used for retaining railway rails in position upon the ties.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of a spike puller of the above character, wherein the claw portions which are used for engaging beneath the head of a spike or heavy nail are provided with a shield adapted to be arranged over the head of the spike, while the same is being withdrawn to prevent the same from flying up and striking the person using the instrument.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a spike puller of the above character which is so constructed as to be provided with an added leverage point which is of conslderable advantage 1n withdrawlng spikes or nails, due to the fact that it reduces 'the amount of pressure to be applied to the handle in operating the device, thus providing a spike puller which can be operated with less pressure on the handle than is usually required by the ordinary type of spike puller.

A further object of the present invention 7 is the provision of a spike puller wherein the head which includes the claws has formed integral therewith a shield adapted to be arranged over the claws and also has integrally formed on the heel of the device, an offset portion which provides a leverage point for the head during the operation of the pulling, all parts being formed of a single piece of material.

IVith the above and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claim and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved spike puller with parts thereof broken away and illustrated in cross section;

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1, with parts broken away; and

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 38 of Figure 1.

1930; Serial No. 447,669.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings, 1 indicates the handle of my improved spike puller and one end of the handle carries a head generally indicated at 2. This head is usually provided with a curved lower surface 3 and at the outer end thereof with a similar curved surface 4, curving in the same general direction to form a tapered outer end for the head. This tapered outer end is provided with a longitudinal bifurcation 5, forming the spaced claws 6 which are adapted to be engagedbeneath the head of the spike, as indicated in Figure 1, for withdrawing the spike from the material into which it has been driven.

In a great many instances when withdrawing heavy spikes from railway ties, these spikes have a tendency to become loosened very quickly after heavy pressure is applied to the handle 1 and have, a tendency to fly upwardly, sometimes striking the person operating the puller, causing serious injuries to this person. In view of the above, I provide a suitable shield in the shape of a substantially triangular shaped guard 7 which is formed integral with the outer tapered end of the head 2 and extends over the longitudinal bifurcation 5, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3. Thus when the claws 6 are engaged beneath the head of a spike, the head of the spike will be positioned directly beneath this guard 7; therefore, when the spike is being withdrawn and becomes loosened from the material, it will not fly upwardly from the claws, due to the fact that 35 it will contact with the guard 7.

It will be apparent that the outer end of the guard 7 is spaced a considerable distance from the outer ends of the claws, so that the head of the spike can be readily positioned beneath the guard 7, while the claws 6 are being engaged beneath the head of the spike, as shown in Figure 1. The outer end of the guard portion 7 is slightly tapered upon opposite sides, as indicated at 8, to provide for lateral movement of the claws 6 when engaged with the head of a spike, but still retain the guard 7 over the spike.

In order to provide an additional leverage point for the head 2, I have formed in- V which is of substantially triangular, shape,

tegral with the head a bracket member 9 with the base integral with the head along the curved base 3. From this, it will'lo-e apparent that the apex ofthe triangle will provide a pivot point for the head when the claws 6 are engaged beneath the head of a spike, as shown in Figure 1. It will be ap:

parentthat by providing this bracket 9 and having the apex thereofforining the pivot c point for the head 2, the spike can be-witlrdrawn with less force applied to the outer. H end of the handle 1 than would ordinarily be the case if the curved portion 8 rested directly upon the surface instead-of the pivot point or'apex-9 v I Theadvantages gained in a construction oflthe' abovecharacter, is not only apparent froin the application of the guard member i Ti u this itilwill be noted'that accidents occurring 7, but also due'to' the integral bracket 9 which forms an: ad dedfleverage for the head 2, whereby: the'device can be operated witha less :EIHIOHIItOf pressure on the handle 1, than would be the case with theordinary spike puller. .7 A: p I lt will be noted: that-whenlthespikes are urged outwardly from the material in which they'are-drivem; the headswill strike the guard f7 and 'restrictfth e outward movement of the spikes relative toxthe puller. F r0111 from flying spikeswill be entirely avoided. Attention is also directed to the-fact that the. entire; device" including the guaid and the heel or brac ket9 is formed of a single piece,

articlex V I a I claim: a l 1 V V 1 A device of the class described includth'us TGClUCiIlgftliCOSt of manufacturing the ingalianclle havinga head at one end, spaced claws atone end of the head,an integral substanti'ally trian 'ular-shaped guard carrled by the claws with its base bridging the space b'etaveen said claws, said head-having a curved surfaceon the sideopposite the guard and. a triangular bracket havlng its base portionfi'ntegr'al with the head at the curved provide ap'ivot point for the head.

In testimonythatl-claim the foregoing I, have hereunto-set niyahand at Dalton, in theiceuntyiof GreenLake and State of Wisconsin; I r

CARL JOHN AMER-A.

portion, and having its apex outermost to 

